The following definitions are organized according to topic, with the SL and HL sections combined. If you are looking for the definition of a specific term, just use the search function in your internet browser (Ctrl + F). Add each definition in its new row. To add a new row, click in the row that you want to add your definition under, click on the small "tables" button that appears, go to "row", and choose "add row below". If you are having problems doing that, send me an email and I'll add the definition.
I went through the syllabus using the search function and found all the syllabus objectives that start with "define". We should know the definitions for these words as they are explicitly specified in the syllabus. I made a (very small) start with the easy ones. Feel free to add or make changes. (Aki)
Mechanics (Topic 2)
displacement
Distance traveled in a specified direction. The shortest (straight-line) distance between two points.
velocity
Rate of change of dispacement. Rate of distance traveled in a specified direction.
speed
Distance traveled per unit time.
acceleration
Rate of change of velocity.
momentum (linear)
impulse
Rate of change of momentum.
power
Average energy consumed per unit time.
efficiency
Ratio of useful energy output to the total energy input.
Thermal Physics and Thermodynamics (Topics 3 & 10)
mole
molar mass
Avogadro's Constant
There is 6.02 * 10^23 molecules/atoms in 1 mole of a substance.
specific heat capacity
thermal capacity
specific latent heat
pressure
The force per unit area exerted on a surface.
ideal gas
Definition depends on question: In general, an ideal gas obeys PV = nRT. There are no forces between molecules for all conditions of P, V and T. If definition asks in terms of kinetic molecular theory - no intermolecular forces, volume of gas molecules is negligible, collisions are perfectly elastic (do not state Ideal Gas Law in this case)
Waves (Topics 4 & 11)
displacement
amplitude
Maximum displacement from the equilibrium position (denoted x0).
frequency
The number of oscillations per second (denoted f).
period
The time taken for one entire oscillation (denoted T)
phase difference
simple harmonic motion
wavelength
The distance between successive, corresponding points in a wave.
wave speed
intensity
Electric Currents & Electromagnetic Induction (Topics 5 & 12)
electrical potential difference
electronvolt
The energy gained by an electron when it travels through a potential difference of 1 V (1 eV = 1.60 * 10^-19 J)
electric current
resistance
electromotive force
Lenz's Law
the induced emf is induced in such a direction so that the effect of the induction is to oppose the change that caused it.
magnetic flux
magnetic flux linkage
Motion in Fields (Topics 6 & 9)
electric field strength
the force per unit charge exerted on a small positive test charge in an electric field
gravitational field strength
the force per unit mass exerted on a point/small/test mass in a gravitational field
gravitational potential
energy per unit mass, i.e. the potential energy change (work done) per unit of mass, in moving the test mass from infinity (where potential = zero) to a point in the gravitational field. Gravitational potential is always negative value that approaches zero at infinity i.e. potential energy decreases when the point mass is moved from infinity toward the source of the field.
gravitational potential difference
energy change (work done) per unit mass to move between two points in the field. If potential difference is positive - the potential energy per unit mass is increasing and work is done against the field.
How to define terms according to the IBO
The following definitions are organized according to topic, with the SL and HL sections combined. If you are looking for the definition of a specific term, just use the search function in your internet browser (Ctrl + F). Add each definition in its new row. To add a new row, click in the row that you want to add your definition under, click on the small "tables" button that appears, go to "row", and choose "add row below". If you are having problems doing that, send me an email and I'll add the definition.
I went through the syllabus using the search function and found all the syllabus objectives that start with "define". We should know the definitions for these words as they are explicitly specified in the syllabus. I made a (very small) start with the easy ones. Feel free to add or make changes. (Aki)